How to fix Xbox sign-in error and loop issues

This guide helps you resolve sign-in failures and the frustrating sign-in loop where your Xbox console asks for credentials repeatedly. Success means getting your account signed in, staying signed in, and accessing your games and subscriptions without interruption.

Note: Steps can vary by console generation, system software, region, and account type. This guide uses safe, general methods.

Quick Answer

Power cycle your Xbox: Hold the power button for 10 seconds, unplug it for 30 seconds, then restart.
Check your network connection (Settings > General > Network settings).
Go offline: Select "Go offline" in the sign-in prompt, then go back online after a minute.
If in a loop, press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide, go to Profile & system, and select "Sign out." Then sign back in.
On a different device, visit the Microsoft account recovery page to ensure your account is not locked and your password is correct.

If this doesn’t work, jump to Diagnose the issue below.

What you need

Before you start

Your Xbox console (powered on).
Access to your Microsoft account email and password.
A stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
A mobile phone or computer to check your account status if needed.
Your controller (paired and working).
Basic knowledge of your network name and password.

Good to know

Sign-in loops often relate to cached credentials or a temporary service glitch.
Two-step verification can cause sign-in prompts if not set up correctly on the console.
Console software updates can sometimes introduce temporary sign-in bugs.
Using a work or school account may have additional security restrictions.
A "factory reset" that keeps games and apps is a safe last resort for persistent loops.
Xbox Live service status can be checked on the official website.

Diagnose the issue in 2 minutes

Check 1 — What’s the symptom

Are you stuck in a loop (sign-in screen reappears), or do you get a specific error code and fail once?

What you should see: A clear distinction. Loops are often local console or profile issues. Specific errors point to account, network, or service problems.

Check 2 — Network connectivity

Can your console connect to the internet? Go to Settings > General > Network settings and run the "Test network connection" tool.

What you should see: "It's all good" or similar. If it fails, the problem is likely network-related, not your account.

Check 3 — Account accessibility

On a phone or computer, try to sign in to your Microsoft account on the website. Does it work?

What you should see: Successful sign-in. If you can't sign in there, your account may be locked or suspended.

Check 4 — Recent changes

Did you recently change your account password, enable two-step verification, or get a new router?

What you should see: Recognition. These changes require updating credentials on your console or adjusting network settings.

Check 5 — Other users on same console

Can other accounts sign in on this console? Can your account sign in on a different console or the Xbox app?

What you should see: Isolation. If only your account on this console fails, the problem is with the local profile data.

If you identify the branch that matches your case, follow the steps below and use the scenario cards for faster fixes.

Step-by-step guide

Step 1 — Restart and refresh

This clears temporary glitches and resets the network stack.

Hold the Xbox button on the front of the console for about 10 seconds until it shuts down completely.
Unplug the power cord from the back of the console for 30 seconds.
Plug it back in and turn the console on.
Try signing in again.

What you should see: A fresh boot sequence. The sign-in prompt may behave differently.

Step 2 — Bypass the loop with offline mode

Forcing the console offline can break a verification loop.

When the sign-in screen appears, look for the "Go offline" option (often by pressing the Menu/View button).
Select it. The console will attempt to sign in with cached credentials.
Wait a minute, then go back online via Settings > General > Network settings.

What you should see: You are signed into your profile, though some online features will be limited until you go back online.

Step 3 — Sign out and refresh profile

This removes potentially corrupted local profile data.

Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
Go to Profile & system, highlight your profile, and select "Sign out."
Restart the console.
Sign back in by selecting "Add or switch" and entering your credentials.

What you should see: A fresh sign-in prompt. Your games and saves are safe in the cloud.

Xbox Series X|S / Xbox One: The process is identical across these consoles. The "Go offline" option location may vary slightly with system updates.

Xbox app / Web account: Use these to check your account status. In the app, go to Settings > Account to see if you're signed in. On the web, visit the Microsoft account page.

Step 4 — Remove and re-add your home network

Network configuration errors can block authentication.

Go to Settings > General > Network settings.
Select "Set up wireless network" or "Wired network" and forget your current network.
Set it up again from scratch, entering your password carefully.
Run the network test again.

What you should see: A successful connection test. NAT type should be Open or Moderate.

Step 5 — Update console software offline

An outdated system can have sign-in bugs. If you can't get online, use an offline update.

On a PC, download the latest System Update File from the official Xbox website to a USB drive.
With the console off, plug the USB drive into the Xbox.
Start the console while holding the Bind and Eject buttons to enter the offline system update screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts.

What you should see: The console installs the update and restarts. This can fix many system-level issues.

Step 6 — Reset and keep my games & apps

This is a last resort that refreshes the OS without deleting your games. It often resolves persistent loops.

Go to Settings > System > Console info.
Select "Reset console."
Choose "Reset and keep my games & apps."
After the reset, go through the initial setup and sign in.

What you should see: A clean system setup. You will need to re-configure some preferences, but your installed games and saves will remain.

Common scenarios and fixes

Scenario: “We can't sign you in” loop after entering correct password

Likely cause: Cached credentials are out of sync with the Xbox Live service, or a temporary service hiccup.

Fast fix: Use the "Go offline" trick (Step 2), then sign out and back in (Step 3). Power cycle your router and console.

When to escalate: If it persists for more than a day, check for a console software update or perform a "Reset and keep my games & apps" (Step 6).

Scenario: Error code 0x87DD0006 or 0x8015DC0C

Likely cause: Network connectivity issues, specifically with DNS or reaching Xbox Live servers.

Fast fix: Power cycle your network hardware. In console network settings, try using manual DNS servers like 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.

When to escalate: If manual DNS doesn't work, contact your ISP to ask about any blocking or throttling of gaming traffic.

Scenario: Sign-in works but immediately kicks you out

Likely cause: Corrupted local user profile data on the console.

Fast fix: Sign out (Step 3), then perform a "Clear local saved games" (note: this deletes local saves, but cloud saves will resync) from the same menu under Profile & system > Settings > System > Storage.

When to escalate: If clearing doesn't help, the full "Reset and keep my games & apps" is the next step.

Scenario: Two-step verification is enabled, and console can't complete sign-in

Likely cause: The console hasn't been set up as a trusted device, or the app password is missing/incorrect.

Fast fix: On the Microsoft account security page, generate a new "app password" specifically for your Xbox. Use that password on your console instead of your regular account password.

When to escalate: If you've lost access to your two-step verification methods, use the account recovery process on the Microsoft website.

Scenario: Only one specific game triggers a sign-out or sign-in loop

Likely cause: Corrupted game data or a license verification issue with that title.

Fast fix: Quit the game fully. Go to My games & apps, highlight the game, press the Menu button, and select "Manage game and add-ons." Clear the saved data (reserves cloud saves) and/or reinstall the game.

When to escalate: If the issue is with a digitally purchased game, ensure your console is set as your "home Xbox" and contact support if licenses seem broken.

Scenario: Account signs in fine on other devices but not on this console

Likely cause: A problem with the console's internal storage or operating system.

Fast fix: Try creating a new test account on the console. If it works, the issue is isolated to your profile on this hardware. Remove and re-add your profile (Step 3) and then perform a factory reset keeping games (Step 6).

When to escalate: If a new account also fails, the console may have a hardware failure; contact Xbox support for repair options.

Quick reference

Key concepts for this topic

Item	What it means	Why it matters
Sign-in Loop	The console repeatedly prompts for credentials even after successful entry.	Indicates a failure in the authentication handshake between your console profile and Xbox Live, often fixable locally.
Cached Credentials	Your account login info stored locally on the console for offline access.	If these become outdated or corrupted (e.g., after a password change), they cause sign-in failures.
Two-Step Verification	An extra security layer requiring a code from an app or SMS.	Consoles aren't great at prompting for these codes; you often need to use a separate "app password."
Home Xbox	The one console designated to share your games and subscriptions with other profiles on that device.	License issues can sometimes interfere with sign-in if this setting is changed or revoked.

Safe defaults

Setting	Safe default	When to change
Power Mode	Instant-on (Sleep)	Change to Energy-saving if you experience frequent system glitches, as it performs a full shutdown.
Network DNS	Automatic (from your router)	Change to manual (e.g., 8.8.8.8) if you experience connectivity errors or slow sign-ins.
Console Updates	Keep my console up to date (on)	Only turn off if an update is known to cause widespread issues; being outdated often causes more problems.
Profile Sign-in	No barriers (automatic)	Add a passkey if you have children or roommates to prevent accidental sign-outs or purchases.

Mind map summary

Start
  -> Can't sign in or stuck in loop
      -> Most likely cause: Cached credentials / Network glitch
          -> Fast fix: Power cycle & "Go offline" trick
              -> If still broken
                  -> Check network & account status separately
                      -> If network fails: Reconfigure network, use manual DNS
                      -> If account fails: Recover account on web, use app password for 2SV
                  -> If only this console fails: Remove & re-add profile, clear local saves
                      -> If still broken: Reset and keep games & apps (last resort)
                          -> Escalate / Support: Hardware failure or account suspension

Troubleshooting checklist

Console

Perform a full power cycle (unplug).
Sign out and then sign back into your profile.
Try the "Go offline" option at sign-in.
Check for and install system updates.
Clear local saved games (backed by cloud).
Change power mode from Instant-on to Energy-saving.
Perform a "Reset and keep my games & apps."

Account and services

Verify your password works on the Microsoft website.
Ensure your account is not locked or suspended.
If using two-step verification, generate and use an app password.
Check the Xbox Live service status for outages.
Verify your subscription (e.g., Game Pass) is active.
Ensure this console is set as your "home Xbox."
Remove your account from the console and re-add it.

Network

Run the "Test network connection" tool.
Restart your modem and router.
Forget your Wi-Fi network and set it up again.
Try a wired Ethernet connection if possible.
Change DNS settings to 8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4.
Check for MAC address filtering on your router.
Ensure UPnP is enabled on your router.

When to escalate

Contact ISP if all other devices on your network also have internet issues, or if your NAT type remains Strict/Moderate after following all port forwarding/UPnP guides.
Try a reset or recovery if the "Reset and keep my games & apps" fails to solve the loop, and you have confirmed your account works elsewhere. A full factory reset (removing everything) is the absolute last resort—ensure you know your login details.
Contact Xbox support if you suspect your account has been compromised, you're facing a billing or suspension issue, or if you've exhausted all troubleshooting and believe it's a hardware fault with the console.

What to collect before escalating

Error code or exact message
Time and timezone
Console model and system version
Network type (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and basic test results
What changed recently (update, router change, new device)

FAQ

Will I lose my game saves if I remove my profile or reset the console?

No, as long as you've been online previously. Your saves are automatically backed up to the cloud when you play online. When you sign back in, they will sync. To be safe, you can manually manage saves in Settings > Storage.

What’s the difference between “Sign out” and “Remove this account”?

"Sign out" logs you off but keeps the profile data on the console for quick sign-in later. "Remove this account" deletes the profile data from the console entirely. For troubleshooting loops, try "Sign out" first, then "Remove this account" if needed.

Why does my Xbox sign me out randomly when I’m playing?

This is often a network interruption causing a loss of license verification. Check your internet stability. It can also be caused by someone else signing into your account from another location (change your password if suspicious).

How do I know if there’s an Xbox Live service outage?

Check the official Xbox status page on a web browser. Widespread sign-in issues are often posted there. You can also check social media for reports from other users.

I changed my password on my PC. Why is my Xbox not accepting it?

The console uses cached credentials. After a password change, you must sign out and then sign back in with the new password. If it's in a loop, use "Go offline" first to break the cycle, then sign out.

Is it safe to use a public DNS like Google’s (8.8.8.8)?

Yes, for troubleshooting purposes it is generally safe and can often resolve connection issues. You can always switch back to automatic DNS later.

What is an “app password” and when do I need it?

An app password is a 16-character code generated on your Microsoft account security page. You need it for devices (like an Xbox) that don't support the standard two-step verification prompt. Use it in place of your regular password on the console.

Can a corrupted external hard drive cause sign-in issues?

It's uncommon but possible if your profile or system data was stored on it. Try unplugging all external storage devices and see if the sign-in problem persists using the internal drive only.

Sources and references

Official Xbox support documentation and help articles
Microsoft account security and recovery guidance
General networking diagnostics concepts (DNS, NAT, Wi-Fi interference)
General security best practices (two-step verification, password hygiene)
HDMI and display compatibility basics (4K, HDR, refresh rate)

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How to fix Xbox sign-in error and loop issues

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